Description

If you pedal up in the pursuit of unadulterated shred on the way back down, odds are you’ve either owned, or considered a Nomad. And the latest version of the Santa Cruz Nomad XX1 Complete Mountain Bike only makes the winning formula even more potent. It’s in its third iteration, which sees the addition of 27.5 inch wheels, but that may be the least significant change, believe it or not. This fully redesigned trail monster is now even more aggressive than its predecessors. In the hands of a confident rider, this bike will gladly take on the gnarliest terrain on the planet.

The Nomad’s VPP suspension platform has been considerably improved as compared to the previous version, with particular focus being paid to improving mid-stroke support, as well as off-the-top small bump compliance. Much as it always has, it still maintains the snappy pedaling that’s essential for piloting a long-travel bike to the top of your favorite runs. At the heart of VPP is two aluminum counter-rotating links. The upper-link, borrowed from the V10, provides most of the rotation as the bike compresses into the sag point. This yields a vertical wheel path, which is responsible for the firm pedaling feel.

As the bike compresses deeper into the suspension, the lower-link activates, moving the axle path rearward. The rearward axle path enables the rear wheel to travel out of the way of impacts. This affords you extra margin for error when you’re experimenting with the ragged edge of control. It’s a design that’s well matched by the incredibly capable
Rockshox Monarch Plus RC3 DebonAir rear shock, which has been redesigned to
offer even better small-bump compliance than its predecessor. And you'll find the same collet-style pivot hardware that's become standard for Santa Cruz's suspension bikes. This means that your pivots stay tight, and are easily serviceable by home mechanics.

Santa Cruz's industry-leading carbon fiber construction is on display here as well. Both the front and rear triangles are constructed as a whole, rather than bonding them together from sub-assemblies. With this process, the fibers remain uninterrupted by seams, maximizing strength on an already notoriously bulletproof frame. Additionally, the inside of the tubes have the same perfectly smooth finish as the outside thanks to maximum the compaction of the layers. The benefit is that it's lighter, because any excess epoxy is squeezed from the frame prior to curing. And testing has proven that this provides the ideal degree of compaction, further enhancing frame strength.

As compared to previous iterations of the Nomad, it’s safe to say that this is the most aggressive version yet. The head angle has been relaxed to an ultra-stable 65 degrees. Rear wheel travel has been increased to 165mm. By doing away with the need for a front derailleur, the chainstays have been shortened to a highly responsive 17.1 inches—no small feat when considering that the wheel size has grown to 27.5 inches. In keeping with modern bike fit, the reach measurements have grown by a full inch per size to provide adequate reach with today’s shorter stems. The result is a bike that’s most at home charging full-bore into hair-raising terrain. And while it yields stability traditionally reserved for downhill bikes, the 6.2 pound frame weight, combined with steeper seat tube angles, means that it’s surprisingly pleasant to pedal back up for another lap.

As the name implies, the XX1 build features SRAM's 11-speed XX1 groupset. By using a massive 10-42 cassette, you're able to get a gearing range that's similar to a traditional double chainring drivetrain, without the need for a front derailleur. Suspension duties are handled by Rock Shox, with a Pike RCT3 up front, and a Monarch Plus RTC3 out back. This has become perhaps our favorite suspension package for aggressive use, thanks to the combination of controlled stroke, and plush feel. Stopping is provided by Shimano’s venerable XTR Trail brakeset. You'll find a Race Face SIXC carbon fiber handlebar, held in place with a Race Face Atlas stem. The staff favorite Rockshox Reverb Stealth six inch dropper post puts control of your saddle height at your fingertips. Rounding out the build kit is a hand built wheelset comprised of a DT Swiss 240 rear hub, matched to an E.13 XCX front hub, laced with DT spokes to WTB i23 tubeless compatible rims. They're wrapped in Maxxis High Roller II tires, which have developed a loyal following for their fast rolling and incredible grip across a broad range of trail conditions.

The Santa Cruz Nomad XX1 Complete Mountain Bike is available in four sizes, from Small, to X-Large, and in the colors Matte Black/gloss black, and Turquoise/pink.

Here's what others have to say...

View

The Mythical Creature- It does exist.

Familiarity:
I've used it several times

This spring I got a chance to take this bike for a spin in Demo Forest, Santa Cruz?s back yard. WOW! If I had to describe this bike, I?d call it a cross country downhill bike. I?ve nicknamed it the unicorn bike because it shouldn?t exist (and maybe the color). I spend a week in British Columbia racing BC bike race not too long ago and a rider on this bike passed me on both climbs and descents- I was racing in the top 10% (top 5% in Enduro category). I was on an XC race bike. This wouldn?t be my top choice for racing uphill, but it does pedal better than anything else in its category. This will definitely be my next bike- along with a 29 hardtail for racing.

If you have any questions or would like to place an order feel free to reach out to me direct. My number here is 801-736-6396 x 5630 or email adewitt@competitivecyclist.com